Blog

AMIP honours “Jumping” Jack Myers with naming of HUB space at SMSP

· November 29, 2024 ·

Jack Myers, ARDC Member #3

A true legend in the history of Australian motor racing and motor trade, and often referred to as Australia’s first Holden Hero, Jack was a very influential figure in our own history at The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), custodians of Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek.

“Jumping Jack” was Member #3, and served as ARDC our Vice President for four years. He was also the President of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia.

Many in our Club would know Jack for his cars; he started out racing in 1953, not long after the inception of the ARDC, with a cream coloured ’48 Series Holden Sedan, quickly becoming known as Australia’s fastest Holden.

He then took a Cooper Bristol to new mechanical heights along with Sydney-based engineer Merv Waggott, developing a twin-cam cylinder head for a Holden six, and shoe-horning it into the now-renamed ‘WM Cooper’, for Waggott Myers.

Not content with that feat, he then developed a Mark 4 Cooper with two Triumph Thunderbird engines and supercharged them for a hillclimb car. The man was extraordinary.

While we lost Jack to a motor racing accident at Catalina Park in Katoomba in 1962, he made an indelible mark on our Club and on motor racing in Australia in his 44 years.

The ARDC is proud to name our premier Hub function space the Jack Myers Room.

New Age Media Group

· November 21, 2024 ·

New Age Media Group are a trusted partner for unparalleled audience engagement.

Combining world-class creativity with cutting-edge technology, they have revolutionised brand storytelling, from breathtaking drone light shows to a high-reach ad network and multicultural media spanning diverse languages across the nation.

For inquiries, contact info@newagemedia.au.

Website: https://newagemedia.au

GoPro (Forcite)

· July 1, 2024 ·

Founded in 2013 following a motorcycle accident involving Cofounder and CEO Alfred Boyadgis, Forcite aims to provide a safer, more dynamic riding experience with the Forcite MK1S tech-enabled motorcycle helmet.

After a decade of successful product sales and development, Forcite Helmet Systems was acquired by GoPro, Inc. in early 2024.

GoPro plans to leverage its global market presence – particularly in motorsports – and technical capabilities, in combination with Forcite’s expertise in tech-enabled helmets to bring enhanced performance and safety to various types of helmets, starting with motorcycle helmets. GoPro also intends to partner with leading helmet brands as an OEM supplier to help them tech-enable their own premium helmet lines.

GoPro’s involvement in the Australian Motorsport Innovation Precinct at Sydney Motorsport Park provides an exciting location to test new technologies.

CONTACT:
Alfred Boyadgis aboyadgis@gopro.com
GoPro
AMIP Building
SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK
Gate 1, Brabham Drive, Eastern Creek NSW 2176

Survey reveals Australia’s historic vehicle owners spend over $9.9 billion annually

· April 11, 2024 ·

Over 6,000 respondents across 800 motoring clubs in a nationwide Economic Value Study confirm close to $10 billion in annual expenditure on historic vehicles
An estimated 970,000 historic vehicles in Australia with owners spending close to $10,240 per vehicle per year
Australian Motor Heritage Foundation: “In carrying out this study, we have shown that the historic vehicle movement is a large and vibrant part of Australia’s society and economy”

Sydney, 11th April, 2024 – The owners of Australia’s historic vehicles spend some $9.9 billion each year on their passion, according to a new survey.

The Economic Value Study (EVS) of well over 6,000 Australian respondents, distributed to over 800 motoring clubs nationally, was conducted for the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation (AMHF) by The Mercurius Group (TMG). The Foundation is champions of Australia’s motor heritage, and an organisation dedicated to promoting and preserving Australia’s motoring history.

The enthusiast owners of an estimated 970,000 historic vehicles in Australia spend on average $10,240 per vehicle annually, around 12.5% more than people who own daily driven cars. The historic vehicle fleet represents 4.4% of Australia’s 21 million total vehicle fleet. Around 50% of the survey respondents own only one historic vehicle, the other 50% owning two or more vehicles. “Historic” vehicles are in two categories: those 15 to 30 years old defined as “classic” vehicles and those over 30 years old defined as “heritage” vehicles.

Such a survey has never been comprehensively undertaken on so wide a scope or on a national basis in Australia. Following publication of the similar landmark 2020 HERO-ERA study in the UK, the AMHF decided to find out what is the real figure for the economic contribution of historic vehicles for Australia.

“The findings of this report have certainly highlighted the significance of the historic vehicle sector to both the community at large and the economic sector,” says Hugh King, Chairman of the AMHF.

“The response from Australia’s motoring club members has been unprecedented: the economic modellers at TMG have never had so large a data pool to work with, proving motoring enthusiasts care as passionately about their historic vehicles as they do having their voices heard. In carrying out this study, we have shown that the historic vehicle movement is a large and vibrant part of Australia’s society and economy.”

The survey also reveals the total annual economic impact, including both direct and indirect expenditure, is $25.2 billion: with the sector creating almost 79,000 jobs – 42,000 direct and 37,000 indirect. These jobs generate $6.2 billion in wages and salaries annually. These are very large numbers by any standard.

Stavros Yallouridis, CEO of the Motor Traders’ Association of NSW (MTA NSW), said the AMHF’s survey gave yet more irrefutable evidence of the significant contribution of the automotive sector in the broader Australian economy.

“Despite the end of local vehicle manufacturing, Australia maintains a rich and diverse automotive industry, which employs hundreds of thousands of people across a range of roles,” Mr Yallouridis said.

“The automotive sector is one of the backbones of our economy and is also at the heart of our communities. This survey, and the enthusiastic response, highlights the necessity for Australia to back its automotive sector with world-class training, local skills development and career pathways,” he continued.

Copies of the full report can be downloaded from the AMHF website (www.motorheritage.org.au)

About the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation

The Australian Motor Heritage Foundation (AMHF) is dedicated to the preservation of Australia’s collective motor knowledge, particularly with the historical knowledge that exists in the thousands of motor clubs across Australia. The Foundation is equally concerned to preserve the history of motor racing, of motor cycling, of aviation in all its forms and of road haulage by truck or bus, with a research library for this express purpose. Through the library, the Foundation aims to make its information available in digital form as widely as possible.
The AMHF’s book and magazine collection has tens of thousands of volumes, along with a substantial and growing collection of audio-visual items that includes photos, brochures, prints, film and videos. The AMHF seeks to foster social cohesion through public seminars, lectures and informal gatherings which share its passion for motoring.

About The Mercurius Group

The Mercurius Group (TMG) provides consultancy services on the commercialisation of infrastructure. It helps infrastructure businesses – defined as businesses where large volumes of people congregate in the one location – such as airports, railway stations, cruise ship terminals, universities, hospitals, stadiums, museums and casinos generate untapped commercial revenues from activities such as retailing, food & beverage, car parking and advertising. The team at TMG has carried out similar economic evaluations of the Olympic Games, Ashes Test Cricket and the Rugby World Cup.

Sydney Motorsport Park racing towards a greener future

· March 4, 2024 ·

▪ARDC welcomes motorsport industry stakeholders and thought-leaders to its first-ever Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable
▪Sydney Motorsport Park continues to lead the way as Australia’s #1 venue on the global Sustainable Circuits Index™
▪Supercars begins its own sustainability journey with a range of initiatives and programmes

March 1 , 2024: The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), operators of Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP), has welcomed Australia’s motorsport industry to its first-ever Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable this week.
The roundtable, hosted at the recently-opened Australian Motorsport and Innovation Precinct (AMIP) along the main straight at SMSP, was attended by thought-leaders, delegates and ARDC board members, all coming to learn more about the positive steps Australia’s leading permanent motorsport circuit is taking towards greater sustainability at the venue, and to understand the shared objectives of Australia’s major motorsport entities.
Under the ARDC’s stewardship, SMSP continues to be ranked Australia’s number-one venue on the global Sustainable Circuits Index™ – a ranking it has maintained since the Index was first published in 2021. Like everything in motorsport, this achievement has been a team effort with industry stakeholders, partners, suppliers and venue hirers all contributing; a result that ratifies the ARDC Board and management’s strategic vision.
Providing attendees with an update on projects at SMSP the ARDC revealed that through significant improvements to EV charging infrastructure, new and existing partnerships with suppliers, and impressive landfill diversion results, 2023 was a year for sustainability at SMSP, with 2024 to continue that focus.
However, just as in motor racing, being in front comes with its own set of pressures and responsibilities; which is why the venue continues to look for new initiatives for SMSP and to encourage collaboration with all stakeholders.
Speaking at the roundtable, Supercars Chief Operating Officer, Tim Watsford, stressed the importance of motorsport playing its part in sustainability.
“We have begun our journey; we’re the biggest motorsport category in Australia and we want to get it right,” Mr. Watsford explained.
As a leading Australian sport and premiere motorsport category, Supercars is already taking several key steps to reduce its environmental impact, with its lower carbon bp E75 racing fuel, tyre recycling programme and a host of initiatives to address waste reduction, energy management, transport and water conservation.
ARDC CEO, Glenn Matthews, explained why the time was right to host the club’s first sustainability roundtable with industry colleagues:
“As a venue, Sydney Motorsport Park continues to lead the way in pushing for sustainable practises in everything it does, but we can’t do it alone. We rely on the support of our partners and collaborators to achieve the results we have in 2023,” Mr. Matthews said.
“Our first-ever Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable is a chance to share ideas and find new ways of working together. When the ARDC opened its AMIP facility in mid-2023, we did so with the promise that it would be a centre of excellence, and a home of progressive thinking for the motorsport industry – the discussions and shared insights from this week are just another example of the ARDC fulfilling that promise,” he continued.

ARDC Sustainability Workshop in Focus: The Speakers
Speaking at the Sustainability in Motorsport Roundtable is a panel of leaders from all sides of the industry, covering topics that speak to addressing the future of motorsport with a greener, more sustainable approach.

Dr. Cristiana Pace, CEng – CEO, Enovation Consulting UK
Illuminating the latest sustainability trends in motorsport, decorated engineer, FIA consultant and former commission member, Cristiana Pace, discussed the Sustainable Motorsport Index™, citing case studies from the UK’s Silverstone Circuit, and SMSP’s progress in obtaining FIA 2-Star Accreditation.

Joe Costanzo – CTO, PMY Group
As a major partner of the ARDC and SMSP, global tech giant, PMY Group’s Joe Costanzo’s discussion at the roundtable focused on how increased technology uptake has positive implications for sustainability – using SMSP as proof-positive of this insight.

Prof. Richard Hopkins – University of NSW, Walkinshaw Andretti United
Former Red Bull F1 COO, Sunswift Solar Racing Team Principal and inaugural AMIP ambassador, Professor Richard Hopkins, shared insights on creating a sustainable formula, developed over a career living in the pits, and the winners’ circle, of elite motor racing.

Tim Watsford – COO, Supercars
As Chief Operating Officer of Australia’s premier racing category and event series, Supercars’ Tim Watsford spoke with attendees on how the sport is addressing its responsibilities towards a greener future, and what are some of the key areas of
attention that the category is focusing on right now, as new technologies come to the fore.

Robert Pascoe – CEO, Closed Loop Environmental Solutions
A significant contributor to SMSP’s continued efforts toward increased venue and operations sustainability is through its partnership with Closed Loop. At the roundtable, Closed Loop CEO Robert Pascoe delved into the organisation’s own approach to the circular economy.

Tan Nguyen – Sustainability Manager, Australian Racing Drivers’ Club Providing an insight to the ARDC’s own journey, Sustainability Manager, Tan Nguyen, gave guests an update on the club’s activities and sustainability projects at SMSP, along with highlighting the achievements over the past decade.

Glenn Matthews – CEO, Australian Racing Drivers’ Club
The ARDC’s CEO, Glenn Matthews, concluded the roundtable and thanked the speakers, while at the same time stoked further discussion and debate about maintaining a sustainable mindset, which all speakers agreed must permeate motorsport at all levels for future success.
ENDS

For more information or to request an interview with ARDC CEO, Mr, Glenn Matthews, or the Sustainability Roundtable guest speakers, please contact:
Peter Larum
Chief Marketing Officer
ARDC/Sydney Motorsport Park
E: peter@ardc.com.au
M: +61 419 732 029
Kurt McGuiness
Founder
PRIMAL Storytelling
E: kurt@weareprimal.com.au
M: +61 413 135 334
Link: http://sustainability.smsp.com.au